Response to the Research Report “Social-Political Impact of Labour Migration on Armenia”

Abstract

In the framework of the CARIM-East Project, author Vardan Gevorgyan has conducted research to examine the social-political impact of labour migration in Armenia across three dimensions: first, social institutions; second, vulnerable social categories in society including women and children, the elderly, ethnic, racial and religious minorities, the disabled, the poor; and third, geographic, namely, the differential impact of labour migration on rural and urban areas. On the basis of the chosen methodology the following wide range of issues were studied: the social institution of work, one of the main social structures that contribute to the reproduction of social inequality in society; social inequality, and the extent to which changes induced by labour migration open new opportunities for social mobility or marginalization for traditionally vulnerable social categories; then based on the findings recorded during the research the author made recommendations for policy makers. This review of the above-mentioned research aims to assess to what extent the recommendations are realistic and feasible, as well as consistent with current migration policies. Prior to assessment chosen methodological approaches were critically assessed and available information resources were examined. Besides, this attempt was made to present the impact of labour emigration to Armenia in a more comprehensive way.